Tag: 2025-26

EHC Biel posts near-breakeven in 2025-26 accounts

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | September 1, 2026

Story Summary

EHC Biel Holding AG closed the 2025-26 financial year with consolidated revenue of CHF 19.76 million and a small loss of CHF 31,000, a marked improvement on the previous year’s CHF 271,000 deficit. Strong commercial income – including roughly CHF 4.7 million from the club’s donor association of more than 500 members – helped marketing, sales and donor revenue top CHF 12 million. The club is budgeting CHF 19.66 million for 2026-27 and an almost balanced result, while maintaining its focus on core activities and the further development of the Tissot Arena.

Key Facts

EHC Biel Holding AG reported consolidated revenue of CHF 19.76 million for the 2025-26 financial year.
The club recorded a consolidated loss of CHF 31,000 for 2025-26.
The 2025-26 loss is an improvement from a CHF 271,000 loss in the previous financial year.
Commercial revenues (marketing, sales and donor income) exceeded CHF 12 million in 2025-26.
The club’s donor association contributed around CHF 4.7 million and has more than 500 members.
EHC Biel is budgeting CHF 19.66 million in revenue for the 2026-27 season and expects an almost balanced result.
The club says it will maintain focus on its core activities and the further development of the Tissot Arena for 2026-27.

IHM Discussion

The accounts show a steadier financial position for EHC Biel despite a disappointing season for the first team. Revenue close to CHF 20 million and the reduction in the annual loss from CHF 271,000 to CHF 31,000 underline the strength of the club’s commercial income. The donor association’s substantial contribution is a notable part of that picture. Budgeting for CHF 19.66 million in revenue in 2026-27 while targeting an almost balanced result suggests the club is seeking to maintain that stability. Continued development of the Tissot Arena remains part of its stated priorities.

Why It Matters

For a National League club, reducing the annual loss to a marginal figure is a positive financial result. The donor association’s contribution is an important element of the club’s commercial income, while the near-balanced budget for 2026-27 offers a measured outlook. Continued work on the Tissot Arena also keeps the focus on the club’s longer-term infrastructure.

Mini Q&A

How much revenue did EHC Biel report for 2025-26?

EHC Biel Holding AG reported consolidated revenue of CHF 19.76 million for the 2025-26 financial year.

Did the club make a profit or a loss in 2025-26?

The club posted a small consolidated loss of CHF 31,000 for 2025-26, an improvement compared with a CHF 271,000 loss the previous year.

What role did donor income play in the accounts?

Donor income was significant: marketing, sales and donor revenues exceeded CHF 12 million overall, with the donor association contributing around CHF 4.7 million and having more than 500 members.

What should readers watch for next?

The key developments will be EHC Biel’s progress towards its budgeted near-balanced result for 2026-27 and its continued work on the Tissot Arena.

What Comes Next

EHC Biel will work to its 2026-27 budget of CHF 19.66 million in projected revenue and an almost balanced result, while continuing development of the Tissot Arena.

Five NHL Players Unlucky in the 2025-26 Season

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | August 30, 2026

Story Summary

Five NHL players posted results that lagged behind their underlying numbers in 2025-26. Nico Hischier, Brandon Tanev, Tomas Hertl, William Eklund and Anders Lee each had a case for better fortune, whether through missed finishing, poor on-ice goaltending or both. They enter the new season looking for a rebound.

Key Facts

List derived from Evolving Hockey data and restricted to players with at least 500 total minutes of ice time.
Nico Hischier (centre, New Jersey Devils) scored 28 goals against 35.1 expected goals. New Jersey scored 52% of goals with him on the ice, while his on-ice goals-for percentage was more than five percentage points below his expected-goals-for percentage. His linemates failed to convert nearly 34 expected goals with him on the ice, and New Jersey’s goaltending struggled behind him.
Brandon Tanev (left wing, Utah Mammoth) missed time with injury and played 56 games, recording just three assists; he generated 5.3 expected goals but scored zero goals; when on the ice Utah was outscored 25-9 but expected goals suggested a closer margin of about 25-20; his personal shooting percentage was 0.0; his linemates produced a combined shooting percentage of 4.9%, the lowest in the league; his on-ice save percentage was.885 and his PDO was 93.4, with only six players lower.
Tanev’s career totals entering that season were 84 goals in 608 NHL games, emphasising his usual role as a depth, non-primary offensive option.
Tomas Hertl (centre, Vegas Golden Knights) scored 24 goals in 2025-26 after scoring 32 goals in nine fewer games the previous season; his shooting percentage last season was 11.8% versus a career mark of 13.9%; he generated 39.1 expected goals, scoring 15 fewer goals than expected; Vegas goalies posted a combined.843 save percentage behind him.
William Eklund (left wing, traded from San Jose Sharks to Ottawa Senators) had the sixth-lowest on-ice save percentage in the league at .840 over roughly 1,446 minutes; Sharks goalies allowed about 14 more goals than expected when he was on the ice; Eklund recorded 15 goals and 38 assists for 53 points while scoring those 15 goals on more than 25 expected goals; his on-ice result was 89 goals for on 99.1 expected goals, a shortfall of 10 goals; his shooting percentage was 8.5% versus a career average of 11.5%.
The five players were characterised as heading into the upcoming season hoping for better bounces and potential rebounds from poor on-ice luck, whether through shooting variance or goaltending behind them.

IHM Discussion

The common thread across this group is the gap between chance quality and the final scoreline. Hischier, Hertl, Eklund, Tanev and Lee all had evidence of results falling short of the opportunity or on-ice environment around them. Tanev and Lee endured particularly stark finishing shortfalls, while Eklund’s on-ice results were also weighed down by San Jose’s goaltending. The figures point to variance as a meaningful part of the picture, though they cannot by themselves rule out longer-term change.

Why It Matters

These disparities matter because expected-goals metrics are widely used to separate true performance from luck. When a player’s underlying numbers remain strong despite poor results, it suggests upside – either through personal regression toward career norms or improved team defensive support. Conversely, persistent discrepancies can conceal larger roster or goaltending problems that limit a team’s ability to convert individual performance into wins. For clubs and fans, recognising which players were unlucky helps set realistic expectations for recovery and roster decisions ahead of the next season.

Mini Q&A

Who are the five players identified as the unluckiest in 2025-26?

Nico Hischier, Brandon Tanev, Tomas Hertl, William Eklund and Anders Lee.

Which player had the largest shortfall between expected goals and actual goals?

Anders Lee had 41.9 expected goals but only 19 actual goals; several others also scored well below their xG totals, such as Nico Hischier (28 goals on 35.1 xG) and Tomas Hertl (24 goals on 39.1 xG).

Which player recorded a 0.0 personal shooting percentage in 2025-26?

Brandon Tanev recorded a 0.0 personal shooting percentage while playing 56 games that season.

What role did team goaltending play in these cases?

Poor goaltending amplified misfortune for several players: New Jersey’s goaltending was described as abysmal behind Nico Hischier; Vegas goalies posted a .843 save percentage behind Tomas Hertl; and San Jose goalies allowed about 14 more goals than expected when William Eklund was on the ice, corresponding to an on-ice save percentage of.840 for Eklund.

Coach Mark Comment

The practical coaching response is to keep players getting to productive areas rather than chasing low-percentage offence. For Hertl and Lee, the priority is sustaining shot volume and net-front presence; for Hischier and Eklund, stronger team defending can limit the damage when on-ice save percentage drops. The underlying numbers suggest there is no need to abandon the habits that created those chances.

What Comes Next

All five players head into the upcoming season hoping for better bounces and statistical regression in their favour.

IHM Final View

This ranking highlights measurable misfortune rather than proving decline. For Hischier, Hertl, Eklund, Tanev and Lee, a shooting rebound, better on-ice goaltending or both could make the next season look markedly different.

Fribourg-Gottéron posts seven-figure profit after title win

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | August 27, 2026

Story Summary

HC Fribourg-Gottéron revealed at its general assembly that the club posted a profit exceeding CHF 1 million in the 2025-26 season, which the club linked to the Dragons’ first-ever championship win. The club reported total revenue surpassing CHF 40 million, record merchandise sales and more than CHF 12 million of revenue from its gastronomy operations. The assembly introduced a new president: Yvan Haymoz succeeds Hubert Waeber, who was named honorary president and president of the Fondation Gottéron. Isabelle Emmenegger and Bruno Marmy were elected as new board members, while Sébastien Dorthe, Stéphane Schlaeppy, Steve Michel and Maxime Droux were reelected.

Key Facts

HC Fribourg-Gottéron recorded a profit above CHF 1 million in the 2025-26 season.
The club reported total revenue surpassing CHF 40 million for the same season.
Merchandise sales reached a new club record.
Gastronomy operations generated more than CHF 12 million in revenue.
The club attributes the financial success in part to the Dragons’ first-ever championship win.
Yvan Haymoz was introduced as the new club president at the general assembly.
Outgoing president Hubert Waeber was named honorary president and president of the Fondation Gottéron.
Isabelle Emmenegger and Bruno Marmy were elected as new members of the board of directors.
Sébastien Dorthe, Stéphane Schlaeppy, Steve Michel and Maxime Droux were reelected to the board.

IHM Discussion

Fribourg-Gottéron’s figures underline a commercial upswing linked to on-ice success. A seven-figure profit and revenue surpassing CHF 40 million mark a notable step for the club’s business operations; merchandise and gastronomy income are singled out as key growth areas.

The governance changes finalised at the general assembly ensure a clear handover at board level. Yvan Haymoz takes the presidency as Hubert Waeber moves to an honorary role and to lead the Fondation Gottéron. The election of two new directors alongside the reelection of four sitting members signals continuity in the boardroom while refreshing the club’s executive membership.

Why It Matters

For the National League, Fribourg-Gottéron’s results are a reminder of the financial upside that can follow a championship. Strong commercial returns, particularly from merchandise and in-arena hospitality, strengthen the club’s institutional position and increase its visibility in the Swiss market. Those developments matter for local competition and sponsorship dynamics across the league, as rising revenues at one club can raise commercial expectations elsewhere.

Blue Jackets lock up Jet Greaves on three-year deal

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | July 24, 2026

Story Summary

The Columbus Blue Jackets have agreed a three-year, $15 million contract with goaltender Jet Greaves, the club announced on July 23. The deal, worth an average annual value of $5 million, keeps the 25-year-old netminder in Columbus after he filed for arbitration earlier this month and avoided a hearing.

Key Facts

Contract: three years, $15 million total, $5 million average annual value.
Agreement announced by the Blue Jackets on July 23, 2026. Greaves had filed for salary arbitration on July 5 and then avoided a hearing.
2025-26 season numbers: 26-19-9 record, 2.60 goals-against average,.908 save percentage, two shutouts in 55 games (53 starts). Those figures were career highs in games played and wins.
Career through 2025-26 with Columbus: 36-28-11, 2.61 GAA,.913 save percentage, four shutouts in 76 games (73 starts). He was signed by Columbus as an undrafted free agent on February 20, 2022.
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell described Greaves as a “high-character, talented and athletic goaltender who has become an important part of our hockey club.”
Columbus still lists two restricted free agents: forwards Cole Sillinger, who also filed for arbitration, and Adam Fantilli.

IHM Discussion

The Blue Jackets have chosen continuity between the pipes. Greaves arrived in the NHL as an undrafted addition and produced a breakthrough season in 2025-26, logging the workload of a clear starter while posting solid, if not elite, traditional goaltending metrics. By signing him to a three-year bridge-style commitment, Columbus gives itself stability in net while preserving flexibility to evaluate whether Greaves can progress toward a long-term ceiling.

There are two ways to view this outcome. From the club perspective, the deal prevents an adversarial arbitration hearing, secures a young starter with NHL experience and signals faith in internal development. From a roster-management angle, the contract locks in a $5 million annual cost against future cap obligations and narrows options should the club want to upgrade through trade or free agency. Both views are valid: the Blue Jackets secure short-term certainty, while still reserving the right to reassess after the contract term.

Greaves avoiding arbitration after filing on July 5 also matters for internal negotiations. It removes a public standoff, allowing the team and player to move forward without the procedural strain of a hearing. That dynamic can be important for a young netminder establishing his role and rapport with a developing defensive group around him.

IHM Market Outlook

At an AAV of $5 million, this contract places Greaves in the middle of the restricted-goaltender market for a goaltender with his playing sample. The term gives Columbus time to judge whether his.908 save percentage and 2.60 GAA are a platform to build on, or regression risk once the sample grows. For general manager decision-making, the deal sets a benchmark when evaluating other goaltending options: any external upgrade would need to clear both a monetary and a timing hurdle against a locked-in starter.

The presence of two remaining key restricted free agents complicates the Blue Jackets’ summer. Cole Sillinger, who also filed for arbitration, and Adam Fantilli represent important allocation questions. How the front office distributes available cap room between forward depth and goaltending depth will shape roster construction before training camp.

Why It Matters

For Columbus, the immediate effect is simple: the team retains the netminder who led it in wins a season ago and who has shown he can shoulder a heavy workload. That continuity matters because goaltending is a stabilising influence over a season-long campaign. A reliable starter helps coaching staff plan deployment, influences defensive strategy and alters trade-market urgency.

There are also stakes for Greaves. The three-year term is long enough to establish his role, but not so long that it removes incentive for improvement. He now has a clear runway to refine consistency, reduce high-danger chances against and convert promising underlying metrics into stronger counting stats. Conversely, if his save percentage and goals-against average trend in the wrong direction, the Blue Jackets will have to decide whether to invest further or to seek alternatives before the contract expires.

Finally, the wider roster picture will determine how much defensive support Greaves receives. Netminders are inevitably affected by team shot quality and structure. How Columbus allocates assets in the coming weeks will shape Greaves’ environment and his statistical outlook for 2026-27.

Fan Pulse

Was this the right term and price for Greaves, given his 2025-26 breakout? How should Columbus prioritise its remaining restricted free agents while balancing development and short-term competitiveness?

Mini Q& A

Who did Columbus sign and for how long?
Columbus signed goaltender Jet Greaves to a three-year contract worth $15 million, with an average annual value of $5 million.

Did Greaves go to arbitration?
Greaves filed for salary arbitration on July 5 but avoided an arbitration hearing after reaching the new contract with Columbus on July 23.

What were Greaves’ stats last season?
He went 26-19-9 with a 2.60 goals-against average, a.908 save percentage and two shutouts in 55 games, with 53 starts.

How long has he been with the Blue Jackets?
Greaves was signed as an undrafted free agent by Columbus on February 20, 2022, and has 76 career games with the club through 2025-26.

What roster questions remain for Columbus?
The Blue Jackets still have two notable restricted free agents: Cole Sillinger, who filed for arbitration, and Adam Fantilli. Their situations will influence how the club deploys resources this summer.

Coach Mark Comment

Locking in a young starter like Jet Greaves is as much a coaching decision as it is a management one, because the day-to-day development of a goaltender lives inside the routine. From a technical standpoint the priorities are clear: stabilise crease control, sharpen lateral movement, and reduce rebound frequency. Rebound suppression is not only a reflex training problem, it is a team-wide responsibility that ties directly into defensive structure and shot-blocking habits. If the defence can limit lateral cross-ice feeds and second-chance opportunities, a goaltender will appear cleaner in the box score even while making the same number of saves.

On the cognitive side, workload management becomes essential. Logging 53 starts is a heavy season for a 25-year-old, and how a coaching staff sequences starts, handles back-to-back scenarios and plans recovery days will influence long-term durability. Communication is another coaching lever. Greaves should be embedded in pre-scout meetings, penalty-kill discussions and transition drills so his puck-handling decisions and coaching reads mesh with partner defence pairs. That alignment reduces chaos on breakout plays and limits high-danger overloads in front of the net.

Finally, development is about measurable progress and role clarity. Use targeted metrics beyond save percentage, such as expected goals against, high-danger save percentage and rebound control rate, to track improvement. Integrate situational reps for game management, including late-game scenario saves and rebound recovery under fatigue. A three-year commitment gives the staff time to move Greaves from an athletic, reaction-based style toward more anticipatory play, improving puck tracking, post-sequence recovery and overall game intelligence. Those are the areas that turn a promising starter into a consistently reliable one.

IHM Final View

Columbus has bought short-term stability and a clear developmental runway by signing Jet Greaves. The contract reflects confidence in a young goaltender who delivered career bests in 2025-26, while keeping the club flexible enough to reassess in three seasons. Success will hinge on how well coaching, defensive structure and roster moves reduce his exposure to dangerous chances and help convert his workload into measurable improvement. For now, the Blue Jackets have their answer in net; the next challenge is to build the supporting cast that lets that answer perform at an even higher level.

Gudbranson: Blue Jackets Focused on Playoffs in 2026-27

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | July 23, 2026

Opening summary

Erik Gudbranson, newly re-signed depth defenceman for the Columbus Blue Jackets, says the club is internally focused on ending a six-season playoff drought despite a noisy offseason that involved coach Rick Bowness and Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski. Gudbranson frames the headlines as external chatter, while pointing to locker-room conversations about training, accountability and a must-have strong start to 2026-27.

Confirmed development

The Blue Jackets missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a sixth consecutive season in 2025-26.
Erik Gudbranson signed a one-year contract to remain in Columbus, at a reported $1.75 million, and told NHL. com the team is “very focused” on reaching the postseason.
Rick Bowness remains the Blue Jackets head coach after replacing Dean Evason midseason; the team went 18-4-4 under Bowness before a late slump.
Zach Werenski, who posted 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games and averaged 26:37 ice time, is still a Blue Jacket, and the organisation and player released statements reaffirming their commitment after a period of trade speculation.
Columbus has three unsigned restricted free agents mentioned in the report: goalie Jet Greaves, forward Cole Sillinger and forward Adam Fantilli. The piece notes Greaves and Sillinger are arbitration-eligible, Fantilli is not.
Former captain Boone Jenner signed a four-year contract with the Washington Capitals as an unrestricted free agent after 13 seasons in Columbus.

Reported claims

A report in The Athletic suggested Werenski could request a trade in June. That was followed by coverage that a trade with the Dallas Stars had been worked out the night before free agency, but the defence man vetoed the move. These elements are reported claims cited in the original coverage, not direct admissions from the player in the NHL. com interview.
After the report and a meeting between Werenski, his agent Judd Moldaver, and GM Don Waddell, both player and team issued statements restating their commitment.

Why it matters now

This is a make-or-break moment for Columbus directionally. The on-ice results since the 2022-23 season have delivered gradual fits and starts, but not postseason entry. A summer that produced high-profile headlines around the coach and the franchise’s top defenceman threatened to amplify fractures. Gudbranson’s message of internal focus attempts to reframe the narrative towards what teams can control: training, accountability and a successful opening stretch. The next training camp and fall schedule will determine whether the rhetoric matches the results.

Who benefits and who loses opportunity

Beneficiaries

Zach Werenski. If he remains centred and engaged, Werenski gives Columbus an elite driver of play and an offensive blueprint from the back end. His 81-point season and heavy minutes are a foundation to build on.
Young core players such as Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger. With Jenner gone, there will be more minutes and situational responsibility available to emerging forwards who can earn leadership by performance.
Rick Bowness and the coaching staff. A clean start under a coach who stabilised a midseason collapse can validate the decision to re-hire him after his public criticism of the roster.

Losers of opportunity

Players who rely on veterans to mask inconsistent play. The team needs ownership from across age groups; those who do not seize expanded roles could see minutes reduced.
The organisation if early-season slippage repeats last year. Falling behind early forces reactive moves rather than controlled roster or tactical development.

What becomes stronger

If the reported internal alignment is genuine, Columbus strengthens its culture of collective responsibility. That will show up as quicker zone exits, cleaner breakouts, and more consistent gap control. Werenski provides a top-end anchor for the power play and transitional offence. Depth additions and an experienced group that responded to Bowness’ midseason charge can produce better special-teams deployment and more reliable neutral-zone passes to feed the top scoring lines.

What becomes weaker or riskier

The main risk is fragile buy-in. Public postgame comments from Bowness last season showed friction can become fuel for outside storylines. If any lingering resentment or uncertainty around Werenski remains unaddressed, it could fragment pairings and complicate minutes management. Removing Boone Jenner’s steady leadership also creates a vacuum; unless multiple players step into leadership by example, in-game decision-making and late-game defensive structure could suffer.

Roster and tactical consequences

On paper Columbus keeps its best blueliner in Werenski, while adding or retaining complementary pieces such as Gudbranson. Tactical consequences include:

Power play. Werenski is the primary play-driver. Success will depend on zone entry strategies, puck possession in the offensive zone and quick point-to-slot distribution. The coach will need to protect Werenski’s offensive usage without exposing the defensive zone on the penalty kill.
Defensive pairings and minutes management. Werenski averages north of 26 minutes per game, which forces careful secondary-pair deployment. If the club leans on heavy minutes for him again, the coaching staff must design matchups that limit high-danger fatigue and protect the second unit from going too long.
Forward structure. With Jenner gone, the Blue Jackets must reassign net-front responsibility and penalty-kill leadership. Young forwards will be given push-button opportunities to run net-front cycles and execute forechecks that lead to clean zone exits.
Goaltending. With goalies still unsigned according to the report, the club must resolve net stability to avoid early-season volatility that can derail momentum.

What happens next

Training camp in September will be the proving ground. Early non-conference games and the first month of the schedule are where the Blue Jackets must avoid falling behind. Key follow-ups are contract resolutions for restricted free agents, the opening of lines and pairings in camp, and how Bowness publicly and privately manages expectations. If the team strings together a strong start, it reduces the urgency around midseason fixes; if not, management may face pressure to adjust the roster or special-teams approach before the trade deadline.

Coach Mark Comment

This is a club at the intersection of potential and accountability. From a coaching perspective the priority is threefold: stabilise defensive structure, optimise power-play zone time, and create role clarity. Practically that means simplified breakouts to reduce turnovers under pressure, explicit gap-control rules for second and third pairings, and a minutes allocation plan that preserves Werenski for high-leverage minutes while protecting him from low-value two-way minutes that erode effectiveness.

On special teams, the power play must prioritise controlled zone entries and by-the-puck rotation to generate quick cross-ice seams. The penalty kill needs aggressive support from the wingers to limit interior assists, with a focus on shot suppression and blocking lanes rather than overcommitting to puck retrievals that leave the slot exposed. For the forwards, redeploying net-front presence previously occupied by Jenner calls for rehearsed cycle sets and high-danger chance recycling. The coaching staff should run practice modules emphasising transition reads, reactive neutral-zone coverage, and late-game zone management.

Advanced concepts to implement: zone exit mechanics, gap control, matchup deployment, ice-time management, breakout sequencing, net-front committal, transition reads, puck-possession value, high-danger chance suppression and special-teams rotation. The coaching language must be specific and measurable. Leadership is not assigned solely by title. It must be reinforced through line matching, responsibility in key minutes, and scoreboard management. If Bowness and staff consistently translate the stated internal focus into structural practices, Columbus can convert talent into wins. If the talk does not become practice, the season will likely replay last year’s late slide.

IHM Takeaways

Confirmed continuity. Werenski and Bowness remain with the club, and Gudbranson describes a locker room concentrating on the playoffs.
Cultural reset is partial, not complete. Public incidents and summer headlines need practical follow-through in training and early-season play to avoid becoming recurring distractions.
Leadership redistribution is unavoidable. Boone Jenner’s exit creates minutes and responsibility that must be absorbed by emerging talent and veteran stabilisers.
Key risk. Early-season slippage would force Columbus into reactionary fixes; the club must instead make proactive moves on roster signings and tactical clarity in camp.

Fan Pulse

Is the Blue Jackets’ locker-room focus enough to finally break a six-year playoff drought, or does the team still need a major roster addition? Discuss which area you would prioritise: goaltending, a top-six forward, or defensive depth.

Mini Q& A

Q: How serious were Bowness’ postgame comments last season?
A: They were blunt public criticism after a disappointing finish. The club rehired Bowness, signalling management backstops his approach. It is now on the coach and players to convert that message into consistent on-ice accountability.

Q: Does Werenski’s situation still present a distraction?
A: The report notes a period of trade speculation, but both player and team issued statements reaffirming their commitment. Gudbranson expects no lingering awkwardness, describing Werenski as a close teammate and friend.

Q: Who must step up after Boone Jenner left?
A: Minutes and leadership opportunities will be available to Fantilli, Sillinger and other young forwards, as well as steady veterans. The team’s claim is that leadership will be situational and shared across the roster.

Q: What is the single biggest on-ice change Columbus needs?
A: A stronger, mistake-light opening stretch. Gudbranson emphasised the need for a good start to avoid being behind the schedule, which implies immediate improvements to breakouts, zone entries and special-teams execution.

Q: Are contract situations a concern?
A: The report lists three remaining unsigned restricted free agents, including an arbitration-eligible goalie and forward. Resolving those contracts matters to depth and rotational planning.

Conclusion

Gudbranson’s comments aim to shift the narrative from offseason noise to internal responsibility. Columbus retains its top offensive defenceman and a stabilising coach, but the team is only as strong as the habits it installs this autumn. The next few months will show if the stated focus becomes disciplined structure on the ice, or if last season’s late collapse proves a recurring pattern. For the Blue Jackets, the margin between playoff entry and another missed opportunity will be found in early-season details: execution on breakouts, minutes management, and who steps forward to lead in Jenner’s absence.

NHL Injury Crisis Report – November Breakdown Across the League | IHM News

By IHM Newsroom Staff · November 25, 2025

NHL Injury Crisis Report – November Breakdown Across the League

The 2025-26 NHL season has reached its most volatile stretch yet, with injuries reshaping the tactical, structural and competitive landscape across the League. Multiple playoff contenders have lost key lineup pillars, while rebuilding clubs now face sudden shifts in usage responsibility and lineup sequencing. November has become a stress test for both roster depth and systemic resilience.

Contenders Hit the Hardest

Several top-tier teams are feeling the full impact of injury waves:

Boston Bruins

Boston’s blue-line foundation collapsed within two weeks. Charlie McAvoy, Casey Mittelstadt, Jordan Harris and Viktor Arvidsson all remain sidelined, forcing Boston to elevate secondary puck-movers and rework special-teams rotations.

Colorado Avalanche

Colorado is without Valeri Nichushkin, Logan O’Connor, Joel Kiviranta and rookie forward Gavin Brindley. Their transition pace and forecheck layering have taken a sharp hit as a result.

Dallas Stars

The Stars have lost Matthew Duchene, Thomas Harley, Adam Erne and Nils Lundkvist – removing scoring depth, breakout efficiency and point-shot structure simultaneously.

Long-Term Absence Impact

These losses fundamentally alter season outcomes:

Montreal: Dunn, Dach, Newhook, Laine, Guhle
NY Islanders: Romanov (shoulder surgery)
San Jose: Couture (season-long projection)
Utah: Max McCormick
St. Louis: Zach Dean

These aren’t depth injuries – these are identity injuries.

Teams Quietly Under Threat

Chicago Blackhawks

Nick Foligno and Andre Burakovsky are out simultaneously, inflating ice time for rookies while veteran leadership is missing.

Minnesota Wild

Vladimir Tarasenko and Ryan Hartman are both sidelined – stripping Minnesota of low-slot finishing and interior puck presence.

Edmonton Oilers

Key absences in the center lane: Nugent-Hopkins, Lazar, and Kapanen – all removed from rotation, collapsing the balance between lines.

Short-Term Rotational Returns Expected

Jordan Staal (CAR)
Ridly Greig (OTT)
Drew Doughty (LAK)
Nic Dowd (WSH)
Jonathan Quick (NYR)
Thatcher Demko (VAN)

Tactical Consequences

The structural effects of November include:

power-play depth collapse
broken match-up systems
weakened entry & exit lanes
lost net-front coverage
role distortion among young forwards
unstable leadership hierarchy

Q&A – Injury Matrix Explained

Q: Which club has suffered the most strategically damaging injury wave?
A: Boston. Losing core blue-line architecture has disrupted every tactical layer they rely on.

Q: Why are Colorado’s absences so critical even if short-term?
A: Their transition model is built on speed layers – without them, their identity collapses.

Q: Which team is under the most pressure without public attention?

A: Edmonton – most of their injuries hit the center spine of the formation.

Q: Which club benefits indirectly from these conditions?

A: Chicago – their youngest forwards now receive elite-tier usage windows.

Q: Why is Minnesota’s situation dangerous?

A: They lost finishing density and interior shot creation simultaneously.

Q: Are Anaheim’s injuries more impactful than they appear?

A: Yes – they lose possession stabilizers, not just depth names.

Q: Which absence could change the standings directly?

A: Nichushkin – Colorado’s forecheck efficiency declines dramatically without him.

Q: What is the biggest tactical consequence overall?

A: System collapse is more dangerous than player absence.

Q: Which team is most prepared structurally to survive this month?

A: Carolina – their system is modular, not individual-dependent.

Coach Mark Comment

Teams with depth do not always survive injury waves. Teams with structure do. When your game is built on systems instead of star talent, injuries create problems – but not identity loss. This is where November always exposes who understands how to manage pressure shifts.

NHL IHM Metrics Spotlight – Hidden Leaders Redefining the 2025-26 Season